Skip to main content
American Libraries Magazine Menu
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Issue Archive
    • Features
    • Trends
    • Columns
    • Newsmakers
    • Spotlights
    • By the Numbers
    • Bookend
    • People
    • Library Systems Report
    • Design Showcase
  • Trending
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
    • Intellectual Freedom
    • Sustainability
    • Advocacy
    • Inside ALA
    • Jobs
    • Library Systems Report
  • AL Direct
  • The Scoop blog
  • Podcast
  • JobLIST
  • AL Live webinars
  • 5y

    World Reading Habits 2020 with shaded counties and percentagesIsabel Cabrera writes: “2020 has been a strange year… for obvious reasons. Most of us spent more time at home. For some, this meant tuning into Netflix from the sofa, or taking the opportunity to learn new skills from online education platforms such as MasterClass or Coursera. However, for others this was an opportunity to dive into new books and read more. How did coronavirus change our reading habits? Which countries read the most this year? And what books were we reading?”

    Global English Editing, Nov. 6

  • Latest Library Links

    • 4m

      Several computer screens with a variety of graphsAnth Sinnott writes: “In the digital library, statistics are ubiquitous. We are currently awash in an exhausting volume of data, from COUNTER 5.1 reports to granular platform analytics that promise to underpin our collection strategies. When harnessed correctly, this data is the engine of a truly dynamic service. It allows for just-in-time acquisition and a responsive, data-driven strategy that mirrors the actual needs of our researchers and students in real-time. However, there is a darker side to this deluge. Data can be weaponized.”

      Librarianth, Mar. 9

    • 18h

      Summer Scares logoThe Horror Writers Association has issued its 2026 programming guide for Summer Scares, a reading program that provides libraries and schools an annual list of recommended horror titles for adult, young adult, and middle grade readers. The program operates in partnership with Booklist, Book Riot, NoveList, and iREAD. The guide offers discussion group questions, booktalking suggestions, sample programs, and read-alikes for each selected book.

      RA For All, Mar. 4

    • 21h

      Stack of newspapersJeff Trexler writes: “H.R. 7661 is an unconstitutional campaign-year ploy that even its sponsors don’t think will pass. Its real aim: to get free press as the defenders of children while making it look like our agenda is to sexualize kids in schools. Should we be playing their game? Behind the scenes we’ve been working to make sure that it will die, but rather than keeping it in the headlines as the focus of our free speech campaigns, we should simply dismiss it as the transparent campaign gimmick that it is.”

      Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, Mar. 7

    • 1d

      Display of booksJanet French writes: “Alberta school divisions complying with a provincial order have removed dozens of graphic novels from their shelves, from illustrated versions of literary classics to coming-of-age memoirs and dramatic retellings of mythology, access to information request results show. Staff at every Alberta school had to review their library and classroom collections last fall when Alberta’s education minister, Demetrios Nicolaides, ordered schools to remove any material containing any explicit depiction of a sexual act. Nicolaides’ interest in reviewing books available to students came at the prompting of the members of two interest groups—Action4Canada, and Parents for Choice in Education.”

      Canadian Broadcasting Corporation News, Mar. 9

    • 2d

      March Madness bracket displayJessica Brownley writes: “March Madness isn’t just for basketball—it’s a perfect theme to get kids excited about reading. At our library, we combined the thrill of the tournament with a love of books by hosting a ‘Tournament of Book Characters.’ It’s a creative way to combine literacy and fun, giving kids a hands-on, interactive reading experience that mirrors the excitement of sports tournaments. With a visually engaging bracket, clear voting options, and a variety of books, your library can make March Madness memorable for all young readers. Here’s how we set it up.”

      ALSC Blog, Mar. 9

    • 3d

      Illustration of a variety of online servicesZoë McLaughlin writes: “It’s March, which means the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II deadline for large institutions is looming near. I spend roughly 25% of my time on accessibility, meaning that Title II is top of mind for me right now. The ADA has been in place since 1990—it isn’t new—but there have been some recent changes, especially with regard to electronic resources. One facet of our response to Title II has been focusing on web accessibility. This means making sure that library users can access, read, and use library webpages and other electronic materials.”

      ACRLog, Mar. 7

    • 3d

      From the Executive Director by Dan MontgomeryDan Montgomery writes: “These past few months as executive director have been a whirlwind learning experience—unlike anything else in my life—and I have enjoyed the heck out of it. One of the most powerful insights I’ve gained is a deeper understanding of our Association’s advocacy work: what it truly means to advocate for libraries, for librarianship, for all library workers, and for the right to read and access information equitably and freely across our nation.”

      American Libraries column, Mar./Apr.

    View more Latest Library Links

    AL Live

    al-live-logo@2x

    AL Live screenshot with laptop










    American Libraries Magazine

    A publication of the American Library Association

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • BlueSky
    • RSS
    • Advertising
    • About
    • Comment Policy
    • Contact
    • Subscriptions
    • Submissions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Copyright/Terms of Use Statement
    • Site Help
    American Library Association
    • ALA Home
    • JobLIST
    • ALA News
    • ALA Store
    • Strategic Directions

    225 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1300, Chicago, IL 60601

    1.800.545.2433

    © 2009–2026 American Library Association